Korean pair advances to badminton semis

Jung and Shin defeated Eefje Muskens and Selena Peik of the Netherlands 2-1 (21-13, 20-22, 21-14). They will face Misaki Matsumoto and Ayaka Takahashi of Japan for a spot in the final.

The South Koreans started out fast at Riocentro-Pavilion 4, opening up a 9-2 lead. Soon it was 18-9, with an array of winners and unforced errors from Dutch team. The South Koreans were never seriously threatened as they took the opening game 21-13.

It was a bit closer in the second game. The South Koreans led

11-9 before allowing the Dutch to tie things up at 13-13. Jung and Shin held the match point leading 20-16, but then allowed four straight points to fall into a deuce. The Dutch team then scored two more in a row to take the game and tie the match.

The South Koreans regrouped and charged out to a 5-1 lead in the third game. The Dutch responded with six unanswered points, as a seesaw affair ensued.

Jung and Shin soon took control and went up 17-13. Then they went on a 4-1 run to close out the opponents.

In the men's doubles, Kim Sa-rang and Kim Gi-jung of South Korea lost an early lead over Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan of China and got knocked out of the quarterfinals.

Fu and Zhang beat the South Koreans 2-1 (11-21, 21-18, 24-22), saving a match point in the final game to complete the rally.

The South Koreans were in cruise control in the opening game, building a 14-3 lead barely 10 minutes into the contest. They won 21-11.

Kim and Kim scored the first three points of the next game, but the Chinese packed more punch this time.

The South Koreans led 15-12 but allowed the Chinese to creep back into the match. Down 18-15, Fu and Zhang scored six consecutive points to take the game and tie the match.

The South Koreans again had a quick start in the third game and led 10-2. The Chinese, though, refused to go away, and made it a one-point game at 16-15 for the Kims.

The South Koreans scored consecutive winners and came to within a point of a victory at 20-18.

Fu and Zhang stayed relentless, however, and forced a deuce with two straight points. Unforced errors did in the South Koreans, as Fu and Zhang completed the comeback at 24-22. (Yonhap)